July 4, 2008

The Lions have not said they are in the market to add a running back, but they might be interested in adding one more veteran at the position before or during training camp. Most recently, free-agent RB Najeh Davenport, late of the Steelers, reportedly has said he favors the Lions and Cardinals as possible landing spots. The Lions’ potential interest is not for a lack of bodies there — the team is, in theory, stocked with Tatum Bell, rookie Kevin Smith, Brian Calhoun, Aveion Cason and Artose Pinner. The problem is that none of those players, other than Bell, has proven himself as a starting running back for a full season, and Bell was mostly an afterthought during a disastrous first season in Detroit. Smith holds promise but never has taken an NFL snap and might have to overcome some maturity issues to become a dependable full-time back. Davenport may not have the résumé of a starting back, but he has shown flashes of ability and would add size to a smaller group of backs. He also has kick-return experience, something the Lions need to shore up.